Best Vitamins for Ileostomy: One A Day vs. Centrum

I changed my vitamin from One A Day for 50+ to Centrum +50. Any chance one is better than the other?

And... why would you do that?

Do you know which vitamins you are deficient in?

Different ostomies react differently to tablets. You have not identified your "ostomy."

A tablet taken by an ileo, for example, could not break down and come out whole in your bag. Worst case, a blockage.

Just taking one vitamin? Do you know you deplete more as an ileo than having a colostomy?

You should consult your doctor. Have a vitamin test, then take the supplements you really need.

A blanket tablet? Covering them all? Hmm... I see horse pill 💊 ...please identify your alien spud so others can advise accordingly.

Welcome. We can help. Just need more details.

And welcome.

Hey Superburg, I think both of them are highly synthetic and contain fillers. 🤮

Try Garden of Life! It's all plant-based and has no fillers.

What Warrior said.

And welcome to the site!

It's just a personal choice, really, whichever one you think is the best one. I take vitamin D tablets with an ileostomy, as I was advised to by my doctor, and from a recent blood test, it's looking like I might need a B12 shot. Other than that, I've never taken any others.

My Ostomy Journey: Ryan | Hollister

Key words 'advised to (take vitamin) by my doctor.'

👍. Taking vitamins isn't a multiple-choice action.

You take what's needed on the doctor's recommendation via lab work.

Otherwise, you are literally pissing benefits in the loo...

Lab work specifically for vitamins is a request 🫵 you must make. It's not part of regular blood work.

B12, for example. Mine was 3x the level. That can cause kidney stones, I was told. Whoa!

Don't blindly take any old blanket-type vitamin. See your doctor.

Regulate what you need via lab work.

You got this.

I know Centrum was one of the best ones to take years ago, not sure about now.

All products like that are a little different; compare the ingredients to see which you think might be better for you. If you can take either one without having problems with your ostomy, then it comes down to what vitamins you are looking for. Is there something you are deficient in that you need a multivitamin for? I can't take multivitamins, for instance, because they make my B12 go too high. So I can't take them. But if you are deficient in something that one has that the other does not, then you may want to opt for the one that has that vitamin in it. If all things are equal, then it's a matter of preference. It might be a cost issue. Is one cheaper? Is one easier to swallow? Does one agree with you more than another? What prompted the change? That is a key question. Why did you change from One A Day to Centrum?

Hello, I take several supplements. I've had to experiment with them as some absorb and some don't. I have an ileostomy. I also have to take more than suggested because of lack of absorption. However, I only do that with what I am deficient in, such as magnesium, D3, as well as supplements for high cholesterol. I suggest one supplement at a time and determine what your body needs rather than just a multivitamin unless you do a liquid multivitamin. I'm currently on the hunt for quality liquid supplements. Definitely also have lab tests done to determine what you may be deficient in.

Hello,

I've taken each for years before and after my surgery. As said by Warrior, you could be passing unneeded vitamins through your system. I get whatever is on sale at Costco.

For what it's worth,

SharkFan

I've been taking Nature's Plus Source of Life Gold Multi Vitamin Liquid. I notice that my energy levels are lower when I forget to take it. I have an ileostomy, so I think taking a liquid is better. Some supplements are sublingual, so they are absorbed straight into the bloodstream. I would also recommend food-derived supplements.
The problem with tests to find out what nutrients we're low on is that they're based on what the blood contains. There might be plenty of a nutrient stored in the cells.
My GP gave me Vitamin D combined with Calcium. Those without a colon can have problems with Vitamin K2. I'm still not sure whether Vitamin K2 is produced in the colon from the Vitamin K in food or some other source. But ileostomies can (possibly) be low on Vitamin K2, and this can't be tested. The Calcium supplement from my GP, for low Vitamin D, will deposit the calcium in the arteries in the absence of sufficient Vitamin K2 rather than in the bones. The ZOE App on Vitamin D confirms this. I'd worked it out by Googling around nutrition processed in the colon.
Floradix (liquid) has good bioavailability nutrients. With Iron supplements, those from my GP have the lowest level of iron available. Derived from meat is the highest level, vegetable is the next (Floradix), and iron is the least effective. And ask for a copy of any blood test results. I've been told that my iron level is ‘fine' when it turns out it is actually below normal, low. Given that my surgery came after low iron levels, this would be something I would expect my GP to notice. But, as she says, ileostomy is a specialist area. So she has to ignore anything to do with my ileostomy as it's outside her remit.
I'm gearing myself up to go see her and fight to get access to someone in the NHS who knows about ileostomies and can monitor my health.
Does anyone in the UK have access to this sort of support (beyond the stoma nurse) through the NHS?

Ileostomy or colostomy? Different digestive rates, I take Vitafusion "gummies" twice a day. As I have only 15 ft of my GI tract left, I found pills appear in my pouch, undigested. Check with your MD and lab values. That can determine any deficiencies.

Maybe try a vitamin in liquid or powder form. AG1 is a good product, although it is on the expensive side, but it might be worth it. I'm sure there are other products out there that are not as expensive.

Me thinks you sent this to the wrong person. I don't have any trouble with vitamins.

Ileostomates have different needs than colostomates. That said, most humans have different needs also. The vitamin business is a trillion-dollar industry without mandatory oversight. Oh, the company that makes the vitamins states they test them? Hmmm—sounds like the fox is guarding the henhouse. Absolutely discuss with your care provider and get regular vitamin panels. Our ostomies change with time, as does our absorption of vitamins and minerals from the food we eat. I was taught back in nursing school—back before computers and Dr. Google—that B vitamin excess is excreted in the urine. Oops, not B6, as my neurologist explained when I received an annual exam and had lost 50% of my grip strength. Too much B6 for a sustained period can lead to loss of grip strength and ataxia (impaired balance and coordination). Even with a high-output ileostomy, I manage to get most of my vitamins and minerals through food. My Instant Pot, immersion blender, and I have made many stoma-friendly recipes. I even had a few shared in my local Ostomy Association newsletter. Back to eating food, not too much, lots of fruits and vegetables, and my vitamin and mineral panels look well with a little help from a few specifics, and grip strength has returned to normal levels. And yes, as Warrior said, you ask for the panels.

I am going to try your vitamin liquid.   I gave just gone through a big complaint re malabsorption with the NHS with help of an advocate and it was awful.  The gastro team refused to answer my questions via advocate and passed it to the Chief Executive of the NHS trust who basically said if you not happy then get another referral to another hospital.  I contacted the IA organisation and they got me in touch with a member with similar malabsorbtion exhaustion issues.  I am very much interested in your story so would love to stay in touch to see how you get on.  My ileostomy physically has been great no skin issues etc but I have such exhaustion since the op. 

I have an illeo and use Flintstones chewable vitamin